Nancy Kopecki

1944 - 2022

KOPECKI

NANCY KOPECKI

Nancy Kopecki, 78, left us on July 15, 2022 with her daughter by her side at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC. after a long, yet spirited, battle with congestive heart failure. Jacob and Martha Wilhelm had no idea they were bringing such a vibrant (and stubborn) human being into the earth when their second child was born in Whitefish, Montana on May 23, 1944.

They would raise her in Roseville, CA where she would meet her first love Joseph Kopecki, who would change her life by moving her to Bainbridge, PA, where she would have her three children: Steve, Ken and Dawn. Her sons would give her five grandchildren: Holly, Alyssa, Aaron, Jacob and Zach and three great-grandchildren, Alexa, Aubree and Emma, who all survived her in death. She relocated to Houston in the mid-1990s where she would meet the second love of her life, Clayton Rudd, who preceded her in death in 2016.

She adored her family and friends, of which there were many. "Funny" was at the top of the list of words when family and friends were asked what came to mind in describing Nancy. Naughty, wonderful, witty, charming, firecracker, unique, nurturing, uplifting, vibrant and spirited were some of the others. Kind and sweet were repeatedly referenced by those who barely knew her as well as those who knew her best.

"Spiteful probably isn't a word you'd want to use," said one family member who requested anonymity out of fear of a lifetime of haunting. It is true, Nancy could hold a grudge of biblical proportions. Her mischievous nature also often drove her children insane, especially in her later years. But she had a bottomless heart that loved almost unconditionally and equally no matter who you loved, how you identified, the color of your skin or political affiliation.

She loved sewing, cooking and baking for friends and family. Her cobbler was renown among neighbors in Texas, Seattle and on Capitol Hill. She started what her family hoped would blossom into a successful Etsy business making custom-made LGBTQ-friendly quilts. It was only befitting that her last quilt had flying vaginas on it.

Nancy loved a good party. As such, the family will be throwing two of them at her daughter Dawn's home in DC on August 13 at 2 p.m. and again in Houston on August 27. Services in Houston will be held at 1 p.m. at the Crown of Life Lutheran Church at 18145 N Eldridge Pkwy, Tomball, TX 77377 followed by a wake at Juanita's Mexican restaurant at 2 p.m. at 11550 Louetta Rd Ste. 1800, Houston, TX 77070.